26.—(1) It is unlawful for a firm consisting of 6 or more partners, in relation to a position as partner in the firm, to discriminate against a person—
(a)in the arrangements they make for the purpose of determining who should be offered that position; or
(b)in the terms on which they offer him that position; or
(c)by refusing or deliberately omitting to offer him that position; or
(d)in a case where the person already holds that position—
(i)in the way they afford him access to any benefits or by refusing or deliberately omitting to afford him access to them; or
(ii)by expelling him from that position, or subjecting him to any other detriment.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply in relation to persons proposing to form themselves into a partnership as it applies in relation to a firm.
(3) Paragraph (1)(a) and (c) do not apply to a position as partner where, if it were employment, the essential nature of the job would require it to be done by a person holding, or not holding, a particular religious belief or political opinion.
(4) In this Article—
(a)“firm” has the meaning given by section 4 of the [1890 c. 39.] Partnership Act 1890; and
(b)references to a partner shall, in the case of a limited partnership, be construed as references to a general partner as defined in section 3 of the [1907 c. 24.] Limited Partnerships Act 1907.